deebee29

Hi Mickey and welcome Have a great time ( I'm sure you will) Please leave everything in good order as we will be down on 27th ha ha ! You are right about it looking busy, there doesn't seem to be much available at the moment. David

We have booked a Magic Gem for the end of the month and after watching Robin's videos decided to get one of these cameras. (Sold for busses & lorries on ebay) It came with long cables so I have it wired with a lighter plug fitted. I've managed to fit everything into a small case so it's all together with a roll of tape I tested it from the car supply and all looks well It cost around £40.00 I'll let you know how it works out when we come back David

Was just about to say the same thing

Hello Ron & welcome from me as well I find this is a very friendly and helpful forum Have fun David

Not mad Gracie I've only ever been abroad for work reasons, never had any fancy to holiday out of this country and keep coming back to the broads time and time again (2 weeks to go until the next time) David

Great poem Steve. Really sums up how that amazing place gets to us all I think. David

Hello and welcome from me as well You will find (as i have) that this is a very friendly and helpful place David

Thanks for all your replies and advice. I think we will be worth giving this a try. Alan your comment about talking to the Harbour Master is good advice, i will definately do this. I've seen pictures of similar looking boats through, the boat seems to be 6’9 so should manage if the conditions are right. If all else fails Beccles is always worth a visit so it wouldn't be a wasted trip if we didn't get through. I'll let you know how we get on David Ps. Thanks for posting the pictures. It looks stunning

Hello Paul and welcome I love your videos and have watched them many times. I never tire of watching them. They are part of my "Broads Fix" between holidays David

Thanks Geoff This is really useful information. I guess we will head for Beccles and make the final decision on the day David

Hi and thanks for the fast reply. I think the Magic Gem (bathtub) should go through. I've read so many comments about the clarity of the water (and the pub) that we thought it was about time we made the trip. Thanks again David

Hi we are down in a couple of weeks from Tyneside. Takes us about five hours David

Hi all We will be back down for a week from 27th September (and can't wait) We have been coming to the Broads for many years but never been up through Beccles old bridge. This time we have booked a Magic Gem and were wondering if anyone knows if it will go though (tides permitting of course) I have found the bridge clearance charts but can't find the boat air draught. Failing all else I could phone Richardsons but am sure someone on here will know. Thanks in advance David

Thank you all for the warm welcome. This looks a really friendly place to be. I look forward to joining in from time to time. Counting down the days till we are back on the broads again David

Hi there I'm new here and just wanted to say hello As a family we have been coming to the Broads since the late 70s where we hired many boats including Brooms Navigators, Cherry Willow from Wiillow Craft and Compass Viscount from Compass Craft ( we were I think the second hirers of the Viscount) and if I'm correct, understand that Richardsons now own this boat. For several reasons we didn't hire for some years ( I just recently realised that it was an all too long 26 years) although we did holiday in Norfolk many times over this time. In April this year we returned bringing mum who is now 83 hiring Forth Bridge 1 from Bridge Craft in Acle and had an amazing time, within minutes of getting back on board the magic had returned and it felt like we'd never been away. At the end of the week mum said she had enjoyed it so much she could stay another week. On our return home we checked the brochures and websites and booked straight away for next April on Silver Elegance from Silverline Marine in Brundall. After Watching Robin's excellent budget boat review and other videos we decided that next April was too long to wait and have booked Magic Gem (because the layout suits our needs) from Richardsons for September. I think the bug has well and truly bitten again, we are counting the days. David